Our annual Where to Travel list isn’t about the Caribbean you know. It’s about the Caribbean you have yet to discover. This is all about the places you may have never thought about, destinations that will fascinate you and move you; it’s about finding your new Caribbean. And this year we’ve gone even deeper, highlighting not just islands or cities but specific places and specific neighborhoods that will make your 2017 travel experience that much richer. This is where to travel in the Caribbean in 2017.
Trois Ilets, Martinique
Martinique isn’t the Caribbean you’re used to. It’s a fascinating, intoxicating place that rewards travelers who journey outside their comfort zone. It’s a place for culture, food and endless discovery. Trois Ilets is the island’s travel hub, with a central location that makes it the perfect jumping off point to explore places like the beaches of Les Anses d’Arlet, the stunning capital, Fort de France, and then try visiting any of the island’s whopping 11 rhum distilleries.
Where to Stay: the solid beachfront Hotel Bakoua and the in-town La Pagerie or the eclectic art hotel La Suite Villa.
Bathsheba, Barbados
Ask locals in Barbados where they go on vacation and they’ll likely answer here. The rocky, raw town is rightly famous for its surfing, but it’s also a charming, utterly laid-back place with great little beach restaurants and jaw-dropping scenery.
Where to Stay: the lovely Atlantis Hotel, a New England-meets-the-West Indies historic hotel with some of the island’s best food.
Cul de Sac, Saint Martin
The French side of St. Martin remains an in-the-know destination for discerning travelers, from the world-class food of Grand Case to some pretty amazing beaches. And the tiny neighborhood of Cul de Sac is a great place from which to see it all, with quick access to the beach oasis of Pinel Island and just a short drive to Grand Case Boulevard (make sure you visit Ma Doudou for homemade local punch.
Where to Stay: Karibuni Lodge, one of our favorite hotels in St Martin that has its own private beach bar on Pinel Island.
Samana, Dominican Republic
Maybe you’ve been to Punta Cana or La Romana. But this is a different kind of Dominican Republic, filled with still-undiscovered places and laid-back fishing villages (like Las Terrenas). The Samana peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in a very large Caribbean country, and big enough that you will not want for adventures to far-off outposts like Las Galeras.
Where to Stay: Sublime Samana., a hip, modern beach resort in Las Terrenas.
Soufriere, St. Lucia
While the north of St. Lucia is far more developed, the most beautiful part of the island is the south, home to rainforests, cacao farms and some very cool hotels. Whether you’re exploring a drive-in volcano, eating local chocolate or hiking the Pitons, Soufriere will surely wow you.
Where to Stay: Affordable, charming eco-lodge Fond Doux Plantation, rustic- luxe Boucan by Hotel Chocolat or Ladera, famous for its three-walled rooms.
Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
It’s the island that time forgot. Conjure up your dream of the perfect unspoiled Caribbean island, and it will look something like this. With a population of less than 200 people, this is a beach fantasy, with magnificent water, friendly vibes and some of the world’s greatest diving.
Where to Stay: the lovely Little Cayman Beach Resort, the Southern Cross Club or Sunset Cove.
Portsmouth, Dominica
It’s most famous for its veterinary school, which should tell you this remains very much off the major tourism radar. And that’s true of Dominica itself, the most naturally beautiful island in the Caribbean in a landslide, filled with towering peaks, volcanos, rainforests and a landscape that, as locals like to say, Columbus would still recognize. Of course, Portsmouth is also home to: Secret Bay, the eco-luxe hotel that boasts some of the Caribbean’s most incredible hotel rooms.
Where to Stay: Secret Bay — a once-in-a-lifetime hotel.
Barbuda
There are few places in the Caribbean where you will find a larger ratio of empty beaches to people. Because on Barbuda, the sister island of Antigua, the beaches are simple endless — miles and miles of white sand (and sometimes pink). It’s a place that has drawn its share of celebrities seeking seclusion. So why not join them?
Where to Stay: Barbuda Belle, a relatively new, elegant boutique.
Cayo District, Belize
Looking for something far beyond the beach? You’ve come to the right place. Belize may be famous for its reefs, but it’s also got some serious jungle to explore, like the 107,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, home to waterfalls, endangered species and scenery you won’t find anywhere else.
Where to Stay: Francis Ford Coppola-owned Blancaneaux Lodge.
Staniel Cay, Bahamas
This has long been an outpost for boaters, thanks to its remote location in the Exuma archipelago. But that’s what makes it so impossibly cool. There’s not much on the island itself save for the pilgrimage-worthy Staniel Cay Yacht Club, made up of water’s edge bungalows (some of which come with their own boats) and a bar-restaurant with magnificent seafood. But the real story of the Exumas is the water, so get out and explore the nearby islands, from Thunderball Grotto to the islands of the swimming pigs.
Where to Stay: Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
Southeast Peninsula, St. Kitts
St. Kitts may be small, but it’s also sparsely populated, meaning you can find places like the remarkable Southeast Peninsula, now home to the Christophe Harbour development. It’s home to several untouched beaches, striking vistas and the terrific Salt Plage beach bar. But, more importantly, it will soon be home to the Park Hyatt St. Kitts, set to debut in the summer.
Where to Stay: In the summer, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts.
Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua
Home to the Caribbean’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is where Admiral Horatio Nelson lived from 1784 to 1787. It’s a beautiful, charming collection of well-restored colonial buildings right on the water, with a host of shops and restaurants, too. (And don’t miss a sunset at Shirley Heights Lookout). It’s a place in the Caribbean where history truly comes alive.
Where to Stay: the utterly delightful Admiral’s Inn and Gunpowder Suites.
South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands
Providenciales is rightly beloved for its Grace Bay Beach and a concentration of terrific hotel properties — but there is a Turks and Caicos beyond Provo. You’ll find it in islands like South Caicos, just a short boat trip from Providenciales and a world away, with a population of less than 2,000 people.
Where to Stay: the island’s first major hotel, opening this month: Sailrock.
Eastern Antigua
The eastern end of Antigua is full of wonders, from the Devil’s Bridge National Park (highlighted by its famous arch-shaped rock formation) to its Donkey Sanctuary to the kiteboarding at Willoughby Bay.
Where to Stay: a pair of great all inclusives: The Verandah Resort & Spa (great for families) and the adults-only Pineapple Beach Club.
Eagle Beach, Aruba
You didn’t think we’d leave off some good old-fashioned beach spots, did you? Aruba is filled with terrific beaches, but it doesn’t get any better in the Caribbean than Eagle Beach, a remarkably wide swath of bright-white sand.
Where to Stay: the adults-only Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort or the family-friendly Manchebo Beach Resort.
Downtown Nassau, Bahamas
You could easily overlook the downtown capital of the Bahamas as a cruise port or a stop-through on the way to Atlantis. But this historic city is so much more, with great art galleries, superb restaurants, great local beaches and even a new historic village. It’s a great way to see a different side of the Bahamas.
Where to Stay: the wonderful Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant.
Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe
There are more rum distilleries here per capita than anywhere on earth, meaning you’ll do you’re afternoon shopping at a distillery, find an empty beach and BYOR. It’s a flat, ultra-laid-back isle with all of the charm and culinary mettle you’d expect in the French Caribbean.
Where to Stay: La Rose du Bresil or Le M Hotel Marie-Galante.
Anse Toiny, St. Barth
Far from the hubbub of St. Jean, this is the rougher, rawer Atlantic side of St. Barth that’s more popular with surfers than celebrity spotters.
Where to Stay: while you can’t go wrong at the luxe Hotel Le Toiny there are a host of excellent Airbnb options, too.
The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
We just love this place, the first city in the New World and a walkable, culturally fascinating, well-restored-and-preserved quarter. The Colonial Zone is long on art galleries, restaurants and boutique hotels, making it a particularly good weekend getaway spot.
Where to Stay: The hip Billini Hotel or the historic Nicolas de Ovando.
Coral Bay, St. John
St. John is a funky place, a haven for artists, beach lovers and eccentrics, but that’s what makes it so cool. And the beating heart of the island is almost certainly here: Coral Bay, home to a great collection of bars and eateries (none more famous than Skinny Legs) and some beautiful villas.
Where to Stay: Go for a villa or cottage on Airbnb.
Young Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The “main island” of St. Vincent has long been obscured by more happening neighbors like Bequia and Mystique, but the island does have a party piece: the quirky, picturesque private island resort called Young Island. It’s one part Robinson Crusoe, one part Polynesian hideaway and hard not to love. And it will get a lot easier to reach this year, hopefully, with the rollout of St. Vincent’s first-ever international airport.
Where to Stay: Young Island Resort.
Routan, Honduras
There are still parts of the Caribbean far off the beaten path, and many of them happen to be in the Western Caribbean on the coast of Central America. Indeed, Roatan has become increasingly popular for those in search of alternatives, and the island has developed a thriving expat community making it a fun, quirky place to visit.
Where to Stay: Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort or the beautiful Puerta Azul.
Saint Pierre, Martinique
Martinique is a big place with many different destinations, but none is more intriguing than the tiny village of Saint Pierre at the island’s far northern end. In 1902, a massive volcanic eruption destroyed the town, which at the time was a cosmopolitan center dubbed the “Paris of the Caribbean.” Today, volcanic ruins mix with bakeries, restaurants and rum distilleries (and great beach bars in the adjacent town of Le Carbet). There’s no place like it in the Caribbean.
Where to Stay: Airbnb is your best bet.
Treasure Beach, Jamaica
Maybe you’ve been to Negril or Montego Bay (or even increasingly hip Kingston), but the south-coast enclave of Treasure Beach remains one of Jamaica’s hidden gems, with great beaches around a main fishing village.
Where to Stay: the famous Jakes Hotel is a hip, bohemian hotspot with easygoing appeal.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Still far off the radar for most travelers, this is Puerto Rico’s beach haven, led by its most famous strand, Playa Flamenco. With a growing expat community, a BYOB atmosphere and a hard-to-reach appeal, Culebra has all the elements of the next off-the-grid Caribbean destination.
Where to Stay: The Club Seabourne Hotel.